RecallPlainVehicle recalls, explained in plain English

2011 Harley-Davidson Flhx recalls & complaints

2 recalls on file (2 high risk). Normal for this age of vehicle — just make sure they're done.
2recalls
2high risk
0stop-driving
18complaints

Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.

2 safety recalls, most serious first

High risk Campaign 18V076000 · announced 29/01/2018 (6 years ago)

1. Brakes

What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling all 2008-2011 Touring, CVO Touring and VSRC motorcycles equipped with anti-lock brakes (ABS), including Road King (FLHR), Road King Police (EFI) (FLHP), Road King Police (EFI) (FLHPE), Electra Glide Standard Police (EFI) (FLHTP), Electra Glide Classic (EFI) (FLHTC), Electra Glide Ultra Classic (EFI) (FLHTCU) and Street Glide (EFI) (FLHX), 2008 VROD (VRSCAW…

What could happen: These deposits may cause a valve within the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit to stick, reducing braking ability and increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will flush the entire brake system with new Platinum Label DOT 4 brake fluid, free of charge. The recall began on February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0171.

What to do

  1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2011 FLHX.
  2. Book a repair at any authorized Harley-Davidson dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 18V076000 (manufacturer code 0171).
  3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
  4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-258-2464.
  5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA

Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID
Summary: Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling all 2008-2011 Touring, CVO Touring and VSRC motorcycles equipped with anti-lock brakes (ABS), including Road King (FLHR), Road King Police (EFI) (FLHP), Road King Police (EFI) (FLHPE), Electra Glide Standard Police (EFI) (FLHTP), Electra Glide Classic (EFI) (FLHTC), Electra Glide Ultra Classic (EFI) (FLHTCU) and Street Glide (EFI) (FLHX), 2008 VROD (VRSCAWA), CVO Road King 4 (FLHRSE4), Night Rod (VRSCDA), CVO Ultra Classic 3 (FLHTCUSE3), Night Rod Special (VRSCDXA), 2008-2010 Road King Classic (EFI) (FLHRC), 2008-2009 Road Glide (EFI) (FLTR) and Electra Glide Standard (EFI) (FLHT), 2009-2010 V-Rod (VRSCAW), 2009 CVO Ultra Classic (FLHTCUSE4) and CVO Road Glide 3 (FLTRSE3), 2009-2011 Night Rod Special (VRSCDX) and V-Rod Muscle (VRSCF), 2010 CVO Ultra Classic 5 (FLHTCUSE5) and CVO Street Glide (FLHXSE), 2010-2011 Electra Glide Ultra Limited (FLHTK) and Road Glide Custom (FLTRX), 2011 Road Glide Ultra 103 (FLTRU103), Street Glide 103 (FLHX103), Road King Classic 103 (FLHRC103), CVO Ultra Classic 6 (FLHTCUSE6), CVO Road Glide Ultra (FLTRUSE), Road Glide Custom 103 (FLTRX103), and CVO Street Glide 2 (FLHXSE2) motorcycles. Deposits may form on components within the brake system if the DOT 4 brake fluid is not replaced for a prolonged period of time beyond the 2-year maintenance schedule specified in the Owner’s Manual.
Consequence: These deposits may cause a valve within the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit to stick, reducing braking ability and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will flush the entire brake system with new Platinum Label DOT 4 brake fluid, free of charge. The recall began on February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0171.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

High risk Campaign 11V506000 · announced 19/10/2011 (14 years ago)

2. Brakes

What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. SEE THE ABOVE LIST FOR THE MODELS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY BE EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.

What could happen: THE EXCESSIVE HEAT MAY CAUSE THE SWITCH TO NOT ACTIVATE THE BRAKE LAMP OR ACTIVATE THE BRAKE LAMP WHEN NO BRAKE IS APPLIED AND/OR CAUSE A BRAKE FLUID LEAK AT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, AFFECTING REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE. EITHER CONDITION MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

The fix: HARLEY-DAVIDSON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL A INSTALL A REAR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH KIT, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.

What to do

  1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2011 FLHX.
  2. Book a repair at any authorized Harley-Davidson dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 11V506000.
  3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
  4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-414-343-4056.
  5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA

Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
Summary: HARLEY-DAVIDSON IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2012 TOURING, CVO TOURING AND TRIKE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 6, 2008, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 16, 2011. SEE THE ABOVE LIST FOR THE MODELS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY BE EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.
Consequence: THE EXCESSIVE HEAT MAY CAUSE THE SWITCH TO NOT ACTIVATE THE BRAKE LAMP OR ACTIVATE THE BRAKE LAMP WHEN NO BRAKE IS APPLIED AND/OR CAUSE A BRAKE FLUID LEAK AT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, AFFECTING REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE. EITHER CONDITION MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: HARLEY-DAVIDSON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL A INSTALL A REAR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH KIT, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.
Notes: HARLEY-DAVIDSON SAFETY RECALL NUMBER IS 0145. CUSTOMERS OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

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Owner complaints filed with NHTSA

18complaints
2crashes
1fires
7injuries
0deaths

Most complained-about parts: Brakes (8), Wheels / tires (5), Lights (2), Engine (1), Steering (1).

Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.

Read recent complaints (8)

04/25/2021 · Brakes
FRONT BRAKE LEVER IS FROZEN IN OPEN POSITION MAKING STOPPING MORE DANGEROUS.

10/03/2018 · Brakes
FRONT BREAK LEVER COMPLETELY STIFF. WAS ABOUT TO GO FOR A RIDE WHEN I NOTICED IT. . LUCKILY I WAS NOT RIDING THE BIKE WHEN THIS HAPPENED. FROM WHAT I'VE READ AND UNDERSTAND THIS IS A ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE ABS MODULES ON THESE BIKES. INSTEAD OF ISSUING A RECALL HARLEY HAS OPTED TO REPLACE BRAKE FLUID AT NO CHARGE AND RECOMMEND CHANGING FLUID EVERY TWO YEAR…

03/06/2018 · Brakes
WHILE RIDING MY HD MOTORCYCLE, I TURN ONTO AN OFF RAMP FROM I-95. AS I APPROACHED THE INTERSECTION, I EASED INTO THE REAR BRAKE. I WAS GOING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AT THE INTERSECTION, AND AS I APPROACHED I RAN OVER A ROUGH SPOT IN THE ROAD, THIS MADE THE REAR TIRE LOCK UP VERY BRIEFLY AND I COULD FEEL THE ABS AT WORK. I THEN WENT TO PULL IN THE FRONT BRAKES…

01/12/2017 · Brakes
I HAVE A 2011 HARLEY DAVIDSON STREET GLIDE. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) FAILED LAST WEEK AND I ALMOST COLLIDED WITH A CAR THAT HAD STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. THE FRONT BRAKE FROZE AND WAS UNUSABLE. HARLEY REQUIRES YOU CHANGE THE BRAKE FLUID EVERY 2 YEARS WHICH I DO, ACTUALLY AT ABOUT EVERY $10K MILES. I'M ADAMANT ABOUT FLUID CHANGES. I CHANGE ENGINE O…

09/06/2016 · Brakes
SEPTEMBER 2, 2016 THE REAR BRAKES (ANTI-LOCK) LOCKED UP FOR THE SECOND TIME LEAVING ME STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. MAY 27, 2016 WAS THE FIRST TIME THEY LOCKED UP AND CAUSED A FIRE. ULTIMATELY COSTING $3500.00 IN DAMAGES GEICO COVERED. BILOXI HARLEY DAVIDSON REPAIRED THE BIKE IN MAY OF 2016 AND IS NOW IN POSSESSION OF THE BIKE.

07/22/2016 · Brakes
REAR BRAKE PEDAL BOTTOMED, RESULTING IN SUDDEN LOSS OF REAR BRAKING. DRIVING ON HIGHWAY.

07/17/2016 · Engine
LEG BURNS DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM REAR ENGINE CYLINDER. MEASURE RADIANT HEAT AT 340 DEGREES. THIS HAS CAUSED RED BURN ON THE BACK OF THE RIGHT LEG. HEAT IS FELT WHILE IN MOTION ON 80 DEGREE DAYS. INCREASES DURING STOPS FOR LIGHTS. HAVE BROUGHT TO DEALER AND MANUFACTURERS ATTENTION OVER THE PAST 5 YEARS.

07/13/2016 · Brakes · crash
I HAD A CRASH WITH INJURIES BACK ON MARCH 15 2016 WHERE AS I RAN INTO THE RIGHT REAR CORNER OF A SUV THAT STOPPED FOR A CAR THAT WAS TURNING LEFT SUDDENLY IN FRONT OF ME AS WE TRAVELED DOWN A RURAL TWO LANE ROAD AND I COULDN'T STOP IN TIME BECAUSE, I FEEL THAT THE ANTILOCK BRAKES DIDN'T REACT IN TIME OR FAST ENOUGH, IF AT ALL. I HAD JUST LEFT THE HOUSE GOI…

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